CHAP. 14.—THE PEZICA.
Belonging to the mushroom genus, also, there is a species,
known to the Greeks by the name of "pezica,"[1] which grows
without either root or stalk.
1. "Peziza" was a name given by the ancients to a kind of cupuliform
mushroom; in which, however, we cannot recognize the "pezica" of
Pliny. Some writers think that this was the same as the lycoperdon and
geastrum of botanists, our putt-ball: while others take it to be the morel,
the Morchella esculenta, Sprengel in the number. Fée is inclined to be
of opinion that an edible mushroom is meant, but is quite at a loss to
identify it.